SLV vs. PSLV

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV).

SLV is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the LBMA Silver Price. It was launched on Apr 21, 2006.

Performance

SLV vs. PSLV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

SLV vs. PSLV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SLV iShares Silver Trust	5.77%	144.66%	20.89%	-1.09%	2.37%	-12.45%	47.30%	14.88%	-9.19%	5.82%
PSLV Sprott Physical Silver Trust	3.34%	145.08%	19.43%	-1.94%	2.74%	-14.13%	42.81%	16.99%	-11.83%	4.28%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLV achieves a 5.77% return, which is significantly higher than PSLV's 3.34% return. Over the past 10 years, SLV has outperformed PSLV with an annualized return of 16.87%, while PSLV has yielded a comparatively lower 14.89% annualized return.

SLV

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -16.46%
• YTD: 5.77%
• 6M: 58.80%
• 1Y: 122.46%
• 3Y*: 45.50%
• 5Y*: 24.10%
• 10Y*: 16.87%

PSLV

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -17.82%
• YTD: 3.34%
• 6M: 53.32%
• 1Y: 112.15%
• 3Y*: 43.10%
• 5Y*: 22.22%
• 10Y*: 14.89%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

SLV vs. PSLV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

SLV

SLV Risk / Return Rank: 86
SLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
SLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
SLV Omega Ratio Rank: 91
SLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
SLV Martin Ratio Rank: 78

PSLV

PSLV Risk / Return Rank: 85
PSLV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PSLV Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PSLV Omega Ratio Rank: 88
PSLV Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
PSLV Martin Ratio Rank: 86

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

SLV vs. PSLV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Silver Trust (SLV) and Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	SLV	PSLV	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.00	+0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	2.14	+0.09
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.37	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.82	2.72	+0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.70	8.63	+0.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SLV vs. PSLV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLV Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the PSLV Sharpe Ratio of 2.00. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLV and PSLV, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SLV	PSLV	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.00	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.65	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.49	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	0.19	+0.07

Correlation

The correlation between SLV and PSLV is 0.95, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

SLV vs. PSLV - Dividend Comparison

Neither SLV nor PSLV has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

SLV vs. PSLV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLV drawdown since its inception was -76.28%, roughly equal to the maximum PSLV drawdown of -79.38%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLV and PSLV.

Drawdown Indicators

	SLV	PSLV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.28%	-79.38%	+3.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-42.45%	-40.65%	-1.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.45%	-40.65%	-1.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.81%	-42.79%	-0.02%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.47%	-32.78%	-2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-44.76%	-58.44%	+13.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.77%	12.83%	+0.94%

Volatility

SLV vs. PSLV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Silver Trust (SLV) is 16.96%, while Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) has a volatility of 17.89%. This indicates that SLV experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PSLV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SLV	PSLV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.96%	17.89%	-0.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.27%	56.41%	+0.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.07%	56.50%	+0.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.27%	34.62%	+0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.35%	30.69%	+0.66%